George Katze

George Katze is a senior defensive back from Friesland who will share his thoughts on what it is like to be a Pioneer throughout the season.

Posted November 16, 2009

Leaving any competitive arena for the last time in your sports career is difficult. It is hard not to think about the hard work, sweat, blood, and tears as the memories of being a part of something great overcome you.  You look around and see fellow teammates who have fought by your side through thick and thin dealing with these unfamiliar emotions in their own way. Family and friends huddle around their sons and make them smile as they take pictures which will be used down the rode as physical reminders of how some of their best friendships were formed.  As you walk off the field one last time, a new found void forms in your gut, because this field has become a part of you as you trained hard to protect it from the enemy the past four years. It has become your home and leaving it with the understanding that you can no longer control what happens on it is agonizing.  
Every year this bittersweet feeling floods the spirits of senior athletes as they finish this chapter of their lives.  Each one walks away from not only the game they love, but from their closest friends while wondering if their differing futures will separate them forever. Even though this chapter might be over, it is important to remember that a new chapter is in need of writing. Our lives will continue as our life’s story is unfinished.

When my senior football season was over in high school, my head coach sent every senior away with a powerful message. It was short, to the point, and packed with truth. He simply said, “Don’t let high school football be the climax of your life.” Many enjoy sports as it seems to consume more of our lives each day. We flood our child’s crib with sports paraphernalia, dress him or her in sporting clothes, and teach them to dunk as soon as they can walk.  They are placed in leagues during grade school and expected to play year round. Don’t get me wrong, I love sports and have been participating in them since before I can remember. They teach us essential characteristics, life lessons, and create friendships that last a life time. But there is more to life than just sports and that is what my high school coach was getting at.

Football is only a game, but life is real. As young men, we have much of our lives to look forward to. Up to this point, football was our lives. We lived, breathed, and ate football. But my coach wanted to send the message that we were created for more than football. Our lives consist of many responsibilities which are far more important than watching game film and lifting. We train year round for the victories of a game, but what about the victories of life. We live for more than playing on Saturdays. As young men, we need to contribute to society.  It is important that we be a positive influence to those around us wherever life takes us. We need to be the best co-workers, husbands, fathers, and neighbors we can by looking out for the needs of others and making life better for those who are to follow us. We need to take steps forward and write the next chapter in our lives.

In Romans 8:28 it says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Each one of us has been created for a purpose that only we can accomplish. We were given varying gifts and abilities to be used to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives. Since we are made for a reason, we only find true happiness if we live according to His will. He is calling us to make the decision to live for Him.

As we all go our separate ways, I pray that you find happiness where ever life takes you. Always remember that we live for a reason. I pray you make a difference in the lives of those around you. When it is all said and done, what do you want to be remembered for: the athlete who made 1st team all-conference or the individual who was willing to sacrifice for a friend, the one who made a game winning touchdown catch or a father who provided for his family, the guy who holds the record for most sacks in a season or the one who changed the lives of those around him? This choice is yours. Each one of you is destined for greatness. Never give up hope and continue to be the difference maker.

It has been a pleasure reporting to you this year. I hope you found it valuable in your everyday lives. Thank you for your time. Have a great day! May God bless you in all you do!

George Katze

Posted November 11, 2009

During our offseason, I am required to be a lunch host for recruits during their on campus visits. It is my job to show them around, tell them all about our campus and answer any questions they might have. This job is easy when it is only the recruit, but when their moms come along it is a different story. It quickly turns into a game of 20 questions that never ends! However, I completely understand this reaction as mothers are concerned about their little boy growing up way too fast and will be away from home for too long. One of the main questions they have for me is, “How do you have time for all of this?”

I am honest with them. The life of a college athlete is quite demanding. We are expected to balance our homework, class time, group projects, studying for exams, and paper writing with a sport that consumes much of our free time. We are getting pulled from all sides to be more involved in one thing or the next. You want to meet the expectations of your coaches, teachers, friends, and parents so you try hard to stabilize your work load one semester at a time.  It is a fine line to walk and if you teeter to one side you begin to see the other side slip. We all know how much work is needed to become a great athlete; the same is true for a straight A student.  If they both require so much of our time, is it even possible to be great at both?

My answer to you is yes, but being a prolific division III collegiate athlete is tough.  Many try to become one, but often fall short. To be prolific takes a special individual who not only excels in the athletic arena but in the classroom as well. In my last four years, I have seen great athletes drop out, 4.0 students with limited playing time, and many falling in between.  I am not saying that only successful individuals are both good at sports and have good grades, for all of us our valuable in our own ways. It does however, take a special person to dominate in the sports arena and pass college with straight A’s.

This special person contains character traits that are not found in us mediocre athletes. They have goals in their mind and pursue them with every ounce in their body. Distractions are irrelevant as they stay focused and keep their eye on the prize ahead of them. They understand the daily sacrifice needed in order to achieve greatness. Their priorities are set as they decipher between needs and wants in their life. They remember to pause and reflect on their life as each decision plays a vital role in accomplishing their dream.
This pausing and reflecting is what separates the good from the great. The great understand the importance of the decisions they face and how they will reap the consequences later. They live in the now as they prepare for tomorrow. They reflect on their lives and sort out the debris that is getting in the way of their goals. They are not afraid to do a little spring cleaning every once in a while and only keep what is necessary. There is no fear in eliminating the things that clamor for our time because they are useless and hinder us from reaching our goals.

A prolific college athlete is one who is not afraid to study on a Saturday night after a game instead of going to the bars or work out for an extra 20 minutes after every one of his teammates has left the weight room early. He is willing to study film during the only hour he has off that day instead of sitting on the couch which is much more inviting. He decides to run extra wind sprints on a 90 degree day after a long day at work.  He has a great attitude about who he is and where he is going. He understands his importance on this team and strives to become the best he can for his teammates even if they are not doing the same for him. He will not let you down. 

As you can see, this takes a special person.  His attribute is leadership with hopes that others will follow. He is willing to sacrifice temporary enjoyment for longer lasting fulfillment. Athletes will come to this attitude at different points in their athletic careers. When this mindset takes hold of a team it will be hard to tear them apart. I have fallen short of this attitude as well, but continued to push myself until the end. Individual achievement only feels good for so long but team success lasts a lifetime.  Thank you for your time.

Have a great day and until next time, God Bless!

George Katze

“But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

Posted November 3, 2009

Time- the only constant in our lives today. We will always have 24 hours in a day and seven days in a week. We cannot get more of it and it continues to tick away no matter what we are doing. It seems to go by faster when you are having fun or are late for work and slower when you can’t wait for something to happen.  We all know that once time is spent, we can never get it back.

Our time has value. After all, time is money. Living in this technological world, we need things to be done now if not sooner.  We want our food faster, movies sent to us in the mail and Super Wal-Marts so we can get everything in one trip. We quickly fill up our day with things that seem to be important or with events we find to be enjoyable. When you ask people how their day was the common response is, “there is not enough time in the day.” My message to you today is SLOW DOWN!  

Being a senior coming up to the end of his career, I can tell you that time goes by fast enough on its own. After it is all said and done I look back and wonder where the time went.  It seemed like just yesterday I was in 8th grade wishing to be in high school. Once a freshman, I couldn’t wait to be a senior. I wanted to be the biggest and best athlete; the one everyone wanted to be friends with. Once a senior all I thought about was getting out on my own, attending college and finally being able to spread my wings! I worked hard that summer to accomplish my dream of playing college football. When I made the team as a freshman, I couldn’t wait to finish my freshman year so I could get on the field and be a contributor. My junior year, I was relieved when I finished my Gen Ed classes. No more boring lectures and papers to write. This past summer all I thought about was getting in shape to run “the hill” one last time. I wondered how good I would feel when I didn’t have any more off season conditioning left and no more 6:00 am practice. Now I only have 2 football games left. Only 2! After this I will never have the opportunity to play the game that I am passionate about again. Did you see what happened?

I wished some of the best years of my life away. This is a problem for many people today. We wish our lives away.  We can’t wait to finish college, go on vacation, get through this winter, golf this weekend, see the relatives at Christmas, get a promotion, ect… We are always longing for the next best thing that we fail to cherish the moment at hand.

Here is a story I once heard and would like to share:

An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked.  Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna.  The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The Mexican replied, "only a little while."

The American then asked why didn't he stay out longer and catch more fish?

The Mexican said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs.

The American then asked, "but what do you do with the rest of your time?"

The Mexican fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siestas with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine, and play guitar with my amigos.  I have a full and busy life."

The American scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and could help you.  You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat.  With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats.  Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery.  You would control the product, processing, and distribution.  You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually New York City, where you will run your expanding enterprise."

The Mexican fisherman asked, "But, how long will this all take?"

To which the American replied, "15 - 20 years."

"But what then?" Asked the Mexican.

The American laughed and said, "That's the best part.  When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions!"

"Millions - then what?"

The American said, "Then you would retire.  Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos."

The message is clear! Gentlemen, we only have two weeks left in this season. I pray you don’t wish them away! Have fun and live for today! Thank you for your time. Have a great day and until next time, God Bless!

George Katze

“Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't keep it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it you can never get it back.” Harvey MacKay

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Disgust- the feeling that most of the team has lodged in the center of their gut as we lost our second straight game due to a comeback from the opposing team in the fourth quarter. This same feeling many of us were trying to overcome last week at this time. Losing in the fourth quarter after being in control the entire game is a hard pill to swallow. The feeling does not go away easily as parts of the game replay in your head as you try to figure out why this happened again for the second straight week.

At this point in the season, after two hard losses, it is easy to give up, blame others, or feel sorry for ourselves. It is easy to hang your head in dismay as you search for positive aspects hoping to raise your spirits. You begin to wonder if it is worth working hard for this season anymore and the chip you once had on you shoulder begins to ware off. Everyone is looking everywhere for answers and many are getting them from the wrong places. Obviously a change needs to be made, but where do we start and who is willing to initiate it?

Not everyone will make the change necessary to shift this team back onto the winning track. When adversity strikes and decisions need to be made, some people will consistently take the easy route. It seems beneficial at the time to give up, take the simple road, and blame others for your shortcomings. Being able to stick your foot in the ground, stop all the momentum pushing you back, and turn around in the opposite direction is nearly impossible unless there is a deep desire to fight for your team.

Brotherhood… have we fully achieved this on our team? I believe we have begun to achieve it, but as soon as we found victory over La Crosse, we gave up on achieving it fully. As a team, we created the notion that we have each others back and look out for one another, but we are missing the other side. To achieve true brotherhood, players need to have the courage to call a player out when he has deviated from the plan, gone his own way, or headed down a wrong path. When one starts to pull away from the team, there needs to be someone willing to pull him back on board. The building of a team starts at day one of off-season conditioning and carries on until the end of the season.

As seniors, many of these problems fall into our hands. We are the solid core that holds this team together. It is our job to provide an example for the underclassmen to follow, to set the tone for how things get done, to teach the traditions and keep our style of football in sight. Members of this team look for reasons for these losses but I feel we need to first start our search within ourselves.

Responsibility is defined as being able to make moral or rational decisions on one's own and therefore answerable for one's behavior. These past few games we, as a team, have been penalized over and over again for personal fouls because someone was undisciplined and took matters into their own hands. These penalties have cost us dearly as they prolonged opponent drives and killed our own.
Accountability is essential for any good athlete to possess. You are responsible for your own performance.  Your practice, weightlifting, conditioning, film study, and mental preparation are all on you. If you are not pushing yourself to become a better athlete, you not only hurt yourself, but your team as well.

Nobody can let off the gas pedal until the game clock reads 0:00. It is easy to get comfortable with a lead and play relaxed. There needs to be a craving to finish your opponent off and complete a game. We play 60 minute games for a reason. It takes 100% effort for all 60 minutes by all members of the team to be successful.

Everyone needs to do their job. Every play is designed to score or shut down an offense. In order for it to work however, the blocks need to be made, the gaps need to be filled, and tackles and catches need to be completed. No excuses get your job done. Others are counting on you to perform.

Knowing the changes that need to be made is a start, but nothing happens until action takes place. Remember that feeling inside of you after this loss. That alone should be enough to motivate you to prepare for this weekends game against UW-River Falls. Don’t expect others to motivate you. Find the fire deep inside you that brings out your best athlete. It starts today! Thank you for your time. Have a great day and until next time, God Bless!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

With the road game in Eau Claire, our team had the ability to travel overnight for the first and only time this season. Due to budget issues in our state, division III universities have decided to cut overnight traveling from their budget. To compensate for some long travels, the game times have been moved back a few hours giving teams more time to get to the game. With this game being Eau Claire’s homecoming, the game time could not be changed so an overnight was needed.

Traveling up Friday night to Eau Claire was very beneficial for our team. We were able to get the trip over with, eat at an Old Country Buffet, and sleep in a hotel. I wonder what the cooks thought when coaches, trainers, managers, and 60 very hungry football players showed up to take their shot at the buffet! Being able to sleep over night in a hotel has its pros and cons. Many of us would rather sleep in our own bed but being able to arrive at the stadium in 5 minutes instead of 3 hours is definitely a positive.  Many of us have been on bus trips before and remember the jello feeling in our legs as we remind ourselves how to walk again when we take our first steps on solid ground. Any athlete knows that feeling and would sacrifice the comfort of their own bed for a chance to head into game day with fresh legs.

Winning on the road is tough, especially in the WIAC. It doesn’t matter what their record is, who they beat, who they lost to, or how they performed last year because any team can win on any given day. It is essential for victory that we, as a team, bring it every down. Taking plays off cannot be an option. Good teams win at home, but great teams find ways to win on the road.

Watching film after a game is directly correlated to looking into a mirror. You are revealed in your truest form. You see what is actually there. Nothing is hidden. Your strengths and weaknesses are exposed to not only you, but your team as well as other teams scouting you. It is always nice to see yourself make a great play, but it is the bad ones that we cringe at (they are also the ones that seem to be replayed over and over).  When looking into a mirror, you might see imperfections. In order to do anything about it you must first recognize it. But only recognizing it will not solve the problem. It will be there until you personally fix it. The same is true when watching film. Your flaws are made known, but if you don’t do anything to correct them, they will still be there the next time you take a look at yourself. To get better, there needs to be a change.

Losing this past week hurt our chances of reaching the playoffs. If we win out, our record will be 7-3. Not many teams make it onto the next round with that record. Just because the light at the end of the tunnel is getting dimmer there is no need for quitting. Written on the board in our locker room Saturday was, “Champions Don’t Quit!” Maybe the National Championship is out of reach for this year, but a team is always looking forward to the future. Our team needs to be hungry for victory. We need to play with pride for UW-Platteville, for our coaches, for the fans traveling to each game, and for ourselves. Underclassmen need to work hard so the seniors can go out victorious. On the other hand, seniors need to play for the success of next year’s team.  Going from 6th place in the conference to 1st is hard. Winning out and finishing 7-3 will get the ball rolling for next year. The last time a Pioneer football team went 7-3 was 1990. I believe it will be a great accomplishment for this team. Even though I personally will not win a conference championship, I would like to have been a part of the team that turned it around for this university.  Being a part of the team that gave Pioneer football its winning attitude back and made teams worry about playing us would be a great accomplishment in my book. Like I said in an earlier blog, being a part of a team means being a part of something greater than yourself. I play for those who played before me and work hard to set the stage for those to come. 

We seniors only have 12 practices, 4 Friday walk throughs, 3 Sunday workouts, and 4 games left in our football career. We HAVE to complete all of these over the next few weeks anyway, so what is your attitude? We can either waste away our last few weeks together, or we can work hard and have fun achieving something that no other UW-Platteville football team has done since 1990. It is not how you start a season that counts but how you finish one! This is my challenge to the team. How do you want to finish this season? Thank you for your time. Have a great day and until next time, God Bless!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

As the game drew near, family, friends and alumni pack the stadium as the television crew from TV-5 prepared to televise the show. The band took their position on the field and the drum line began their cadence signifying the final moments before game time.  The Alma Mater was played followed by the school fight song. There is no feeling like the one received by players as they run through the tunnel onto the field. Hearing the crowd is electrifying, sending your adrenaline through the roof. It brings an added momentum surge to the entire team. Every player enjoys playing at home for homecoming.

The win over visiting LaCrosse was much needed. It ended a two game losing streak and placed us back in the race for a playoff birth. One of the keys to our success was due to the fact that we had a deep bench. If a team wants to be great, there cannot be a drop off in talent between the first team and second team.  I believe our success against LaCrosse was strictly due to the “second man in”. We finished this game with our second string safety, quarterback, running back, and wide receivers. When adversity struck, they were prepared to answer the call and perform.  This continues to prove that everyone on a team plays a part whether they are a starter or a scout team player.

This relates to a story in the Bible referring to the diversity of talents given to people. It draws a parallel between our talents and a human body. In our body, the eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body where a head, would it be able to walk? Our body is a complete unit, even though it is made up of many parts. When each body part operates simultaneously, the body is complete. If there is one flaw, the whole body suffers.

These past few years I have had the opportunity to coach freshman boy’s basketball at Darlington High School. When the freshmen do not have a game, I assist the Junior Varsity coach. Before his game, during the breakdown, he says to them, “Gentlemen, first trust in yourselves and your abilities. Do not play outside of your individual talents. You all bring something valuable to the table so don’t out play yourselves. Second, trust in your teammates. Play hard for them and have faith that they will play hard for you. Finally, trust in the system because our stuff works. If you believe in these three things gentlemen, you will not fail.”

We were successful this weekend because each player trusted in his own ability, his teammates, and bought into the system. As individuals we couldn’t accomplish anything.  Each individual played together making us, as a team, strong.

I want to personally thank all of you who attended the game this weekend. Your support for our team is greatly appreciated.  Even with the weather a little below our comfort level, you all stuck it out until the end. Thank you for your time. Have a great day and until next time, God Bless!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Fall is my favorite part of the year. I love the cooler weather, the colors of nature, the harvest, and most importantly football.  Nothing feels better than waking up on a crisp cool autumn day and playing one of the greatest games on earth with a bunch of my closest friends.

Sunday, though, is my favorite day of the week. I get the opportunity to worship God in church, learn about His will for me, and spend time with family and friends. Sunday nights however, we have a team meeting to discuss Saturday’s game and watch film. Having attended these meetings for three years, I am aware that no two are ever the same. I often wonder what the coaches are going to say and pray they received a good night sleep so they were not easily upset!

Starting out our meetings, we always discuss the good and bad points from the game. This is followed by team awards given to individuals who brought it every day in practice and gave great individual efforts every day. It is great that our coaches acknowledge players and their individual performances because it makes us realize the importance of practice and the need to better ourselves everyday. After this though, the meeting room’s atmosphere is strictly reliant on our head coach’s attitude.  I am pretty relaxed on Sundays following a win but after a loss, anything could happen.
This Sunday we were each given a card and an envelope. We were then told to take time and write those who have helped us in our lives along the way. This took me by surprise! After I thought about it for a second I realized that this act directly reflected the character of our head coach. He had every right to come into our meeting with a negative attitude, tell us how disappointed he was in our performance, and make our conditioning workout a living hell. Instead he calmly explained the importance of remembering those who stood by our side and helped us when we desperately needed it. He took time out of his meeting so we could write down a letter of gratitude to someone who had an impact on our lives.

After realizing this, I was no longer surprised. This is the same coach who makes us better athletes but is more worried about our grades in the classroom. The same coach who wants us to succeed on the field but realizes that succeeding off the field is much more important. The same coach who takes time during our minicamp to teach us the five pillars to a great attitude while other coaches are only focusing on x’s and o’s.  The same coach who teaches us to respond rather than react and to view life with a positive attitude. The same coach who lives out what he preaches and prepares us to become successful young men once we graduate. His integrity reflects on the team and because of this we took time to thank a loved one for being there when no one else would. It is easy for me to play my heart out for this coach who cares about me personally. To him I am truly grateful.

His message speaks clear though. Every one of us has someone in our life that took the time to help us. We all have that special someone who went out of their way to make our lives easier so we could fulfill our dreams. We all have that individual who never gave up on us even though we might have given up on them at times. For me, it was a no brainer as to who I sent my card to. My mom’s love for me has never ended and her actions speak louder than words.  Growing up, she has been a rock that I could rely on and trust even amidst the most confusing parts of life. She would sacrifice everyday so I would be happy. It is important we don’t forget those who played a vital role in our lives. I encourage each and every one of you to think about who that special person is in your life. Take the time to appreciate them for they first took their time for you.  Thank you for your time. Have a great day and until next time, God Bless!

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

This last week was our bye week which was a benefit for our team. Players had the ability to rest their bodies, more time was devoted to film study, coaches had the ability to make extra changes and a greater game plan was produced. As we head into our conference schedule, those who have played before understand the level of competition we are about to take part in. Everything intensifies.  For those teams competing in the WIAC conference, every game is treated like a playoff game.  With victory on every team’s mind, players push harder to achieve greatness.  Being the best athlete on your team is no longer good enough, but the best in the conference is what is needed.

Every team starts over. All records are 0-0. It doesn’t matter what happened last year, who was successful or which players performed well.   This is a new season with new players, coaches, and teams. Teams do not win because they have a certain name on their jersey or because they had success in the past. They win because the person underneath the jersey views himself as a winner, as a difference maker, and a champion. 

We have all heard the saying, “It is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.” Being the biggest, fastest, or strongest will not guarantee success. Success is found in the player with a fighting attitude; playing every down like it’s his last. It’s found in the player putting everything on the line and sacrificing his body to make his teammate’s job easier. It’s in the player who is willing to do the little things well, without complaining. It’s in the player that is willing to look a bigger opponent in the eye and have the confidence to out perform that athlete because he is expected to do so by his teammates. It’s in the athlete who is willing to dig deep inside himself and find more when he thought there was nothing left. Success is found in a player that plays without any excuses and gets the job done.  If every player on any sports team has this outlook on the importance of their performance, the team is destined for success. But the question arises, “Why should I stick my neck out for a teammate?”

The answer to this question for me can be answered in four words- “Because we are Brothers.” If the members of a team have a sense of brotherhood for one another, it will be nearly impossible to tear them apart. I ran across the definition of brotherhood the other day. It states that brotherhood is a united front of men who stand together, fight together, and are loyal together for their team, for their rights, and for their freedom. Brotherhood is a very strong BOND shared between guys who treat themselves with respect, honor, and trust. This bond is almost unbreakable by any means. It also directly implies that such a relationship comes FIRST before anything else.  When your teammates come before you, working hard to make them better becomes second nature.

I grew up with three brothers. Did we fight? Yes. Did we disagree at times? Yes. Did they say things about me that were not the most encouraging? Yes. But growing up I knew that if anyone outside my family talked bad about me, or I found myself in a hard place, my three brothers would have my back. When all four of us were together we were a force to be reckoned with. Individually we didn’t look so tough, but together we were. The same is true for a team. We might have our disagreements and people might not always see eye to eye, but in the heat of battle we need to stand together, fight together, and be loyal to one another.

Heading into these conference games, we might be undersized, outnumbered, and may take a few punches, but I know that my teammates will have my back and I will have theirs. We will not back down for we have pride in our team and we will put up a fight. A friend is faithful but a brother is born for adversity! Thank you for your time. Have a great day and until next time, God Bless!

Losing a game is one of the most humbling experiences in an athlete’s life. Losses are handled differently by different athletes. Some get frustrated while others get angry.  Some find themselves staying up all night replaying the game in their heads trying to figure out what went wrong. Many ponder their performance and wonder if the outcome would have been any different if they would have made that one block, tackle, kick, catch, pass, or play call. Regret kicks in as they realize the importance of every snap. They see how vital their part was in the final outcome of this great game of inches. It reminds an athlete a play can never be taken lightly and 100% effort is always required.

Losing a game is never fun, but great athletes learn the most from them. It is always easier to evaluate oneself after a loss than a win. Weaknesses are revealed and areas of improvement are shown. Great athletes are never satisfied with their ability and use every opportunity offered to better themselves.

After our loss to Augustana this weekend many questions flooded my mind as I tried to figure out what just happened. My thought process ended with me asking myself if I honestly put everything on the line to win that game. This doesn’t just mean in the game literally, but during the week as I prepared as well. Did I come out to practice with the attitude to get better or was it just another day of full pads to check off the list? Did I get the most out of my meetings with coaches and film studies or was it just another pointless 30 minute timeframe to get through in order for me to relax at home? Did I prepare mentally and get myself ready for the game or expect to turn on a switch moments before kickoff? The answers to these questions are pivotal to my performance in the game. Some of these questions seem small but when others are counting on me to do my part they are very important.

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. The same is true for a team.  Figuratively speaking, each one of us is the same as a link in a chain. When every link is strong and works together it is hard to break that chain. When one is weak or corroding, the other links have to work harder to make up for the weak one. Eventually the weak link breaks and the chain is useless. On a team, every member is essential to its productivity.  If everyone buys into a system and works together toward a common goal, breaking the chain apart is nearly impossible.  When one member is struggling, weak, or trying to head in his own direction it makes it harder on the rest of us and will eventually lead to failure.

At the beginning of this season we made it a goal to win a conference championship and eventually a national championship. These goals started with a decision and it always sounds good in the first team meeting to say. After this meeting however, the decision can stay a decision or become an action. This transformation requires the right mindset. Is our mindset one of, “I will try this out and see what happens,” or “I started this without the intention to quit and I am not about to quit when times get tough.”  Whenever there is success it is easy for people to stay on board and go along for the ride. When times are tough though only the truly devoted stay on course and continue to push forward.

In our society quitting has almost become second nature. It is rare to see someone stick it out when the going gets tough. It is easier to give up or pawn our problems off on someone else than to work things out ourselves.  We start something new and as soon as the first obstacle comes we call it quits. I understand that sometimes things seem out of our control and there is nothing else we can do. We need to remember when things or situations are over our head, they are under God’s feet.  It is rare to see someone begin something and stick with it until it is finished.  It takes a special person to keep their eyes fixed on the big picture in the midst of adversity. It takes a special person to battle on through the tough times and not give up until they have accomplished the task they started out to complete.  I tip my hat to those who have the willpower to finish what they started.

Every person in their everyday life is in the midst of many testing grounds. Are the hiccups, surprises, and unexpected revelations and losses making us want to give up, or are they going to fuel our fire inspiring us to achieve greatness. Will we continue to trust each other? Will we falter? Will we keep living the right way? Will we let our emotions win? Will we bail out? Will we keep fighting? Will we persevere? Everyday we encounter crossroads. What we do at this point is imperative to our future.  Those of us on this year’s Pioneer football team have worked way too hard to give up on this season. We will overcome this loss. Are you willing to finish what you have started?

Heading into camp this year, 8 seniors and 4 juniors were battling for a starting spot in the defensive backfield. When the depth chart was covered in one of our meetings, I was a little disappointed when told I held the fifth corner position because I thought I had a chance to start. As a senior I knew this was it; my last year to play college ball. All the lifting, running, sweating, studying, and practice over my football career lead up to this point. If I didn’t play this year then I would not be able to play again. There is no next level for me after college. This is it. It felt as though a rug was pulled out from underneath me. I instantly found myself at a fork in the road.

I had the decision to go one of two ways. The easy way was to give up, stop trying, and blame someone else for the lack of opportunities. After all, if they only would have given me a chance, right? It is always easier to give the blame to someone else. The other way was more difficult. It was to be thankful for what God has given me, don’t be selfish, and keep trying my hardest to push those around me to become better.

This is the decision I had to make. This was my last year of football and I could either pout it away or have fun playing a great game with my best friends using the gifts and talents that God has given me. As a member of this team it is my responsibility to come out each and every day and perform to the best of my ability. We are 100 strong! Everyone has their role and needs the other 99 to be successful. This realization made my decision quite easy. I was going to be team player and work hard.

I am glad I made this decision, because this past week our defensive secondary took a hit with injuries. Because of this, I moved from the number five corner to the backup field safety. Just like that I was in the two deep. Over the course of two days I went from never seeing the field as a defensive back to only one play away from being the guy everyone is counting on to perform. This is why it is important to never give up and continue to improve. We never know when our chance to perform will come. In the blink of an eye our role in a team can change and we have to be ready both physically and mentally.

There will be no time to hesitate or ask the coach for one more day of preparation. We need to step onto that field now.

This rationale is true for our everyday lives as well. Whether we are battling for a job promotion or fighting for an internship, we never know when we will get our chance to perform. Maybe this chance is as simple as lending a helping hand, standing up for someone or doing what is right when everyone else is doing wrong. For many, this opportunity might be the only chance they get and if it slips by, it might never come around again. By being prepared, we can fulfill the needs of those around us without hesitation or worry. Always be prepared and never waste an opportunity.

Last year our coaches placed this on our lockers to read before each practice in hopes of reminding us how important each day is.

“This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is very important because I am trading a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes this day will be gone forever. Leaving something in its place I have traded for it. I want it to be a gain, not a loss-good, not evil. Success, not failure in order that I shall not forget the price He paid for it.”

It is easy for us to become complacent in our everyday lives. When we wake up in the morning, we are not guaranteed another day. We have no idea when our last day on this Earth may be. I pray that you see each day as a precious gift from God and use it as a chance to make a difference. Remember how blessed you are and be thankful for what you have. Thank you for your time. Have a great day and until next time, God Bless!

It was a calm and sunny September morning. A steady cool breeze covered up the warmth of the sun. As the sun continued to rise, a peaceful dawn slowly turned into a perfect day. As I pulled up to the stadium for the walk-through before our game I couldn’t help but wonder where the last four years of my life had gone. It seemed like only yesterday I was a freshman driving away from my home en route to my first minicamp. I had mixed feelings that day. I was excited to be on my own but at the same time homesick. I couldn’t wait to play college ball but wondered if it was right for me. I was ready to start over on a clean slate but wanted to be back in the comforts of my friends and family. The thought of turning around was frequent as I talked myself through my decision to try out for the football team. Looking back on that day I am glad I pushed through the fear of the unknown for if it wasn’t for football I would not be who I am or where I am today.

I put my car into park and headed for the locker room. I have made this walk numerous times before but it always feels different on game day. There is something special about an athlete hours before competition. I notice it in myself as well as my teammates and coaches. There is still the usual camaraderie among us but when I look deep into their eyes I see a focus and determination like that of a lion before a kill. Every player encompasses an uninterruptable attention as coaches go over the game plan one more time. It is hard not to get motivated when you are on a field with ninety-nine other players all buying into the system with the same absolute focus of the task at hand.

As a team, we have worked and prepared diligently this past week. With immense anticipation we await the first whistle of the game. Our team motto this year is: Work on the little things today so we can achieve big things tomorrow. The members of this team know this is the only way we can be successful. We have to work hard in practice and the weight room. We need to prepare mentally in meetings and film study. We need to take care of our bodies and mind if we want to be successful. If we are able to accomplish the little things during the week we can step onto the battle field as a team and be victorious. Saturday is our pay day!

After walk-through we have a team brunch and then head back to our homes and relax until 11:00. As I watch college game day I can’t help but envision myself making plays over and over again in my head. I run through the game plan that our coaches give us, call progressions and special situations that might occur in the game. These mental reps keep me focused on the job at hand. At 11:00 we meet back at the stadium. The music is playing and everyone gets ready both physically and emotionally in his own way. As time ticks closer to kick off both teams take the field and begin their warm ups, coaches give their speeches, the captains meet in the middle, the coin is tossed, and the game is ready to begin.

This week’s game against Buena Vista was a good one with both teams battling hard and taking the lead at different times. It was a physical match as each team tried to control the line of scrimmage, perfect their game plan, and score points. When the clock read 0:00 we, the Pioneers, came out victorious, pulling off a 15-10 victory. The win felt good. All the hard work we put into preparing paid off. We, as a team, faced adversity heading into half time down by 4 points. We were able to pick ourselves up and turn things around in the second half. The momentum swung as we regained the control of the game. Defense pitched a shutout and the offense scored to give us the lead. The win is good but we have to get better for next weeks opponent, the University of Dubuque. We have to stay focused on the big picture. In order to become a better team, all three stages (Offense, Defense, and Special Teams) have some mistakes to correct.

I want to personally thank every one of you who attended the game this past Saturday. It is much appreciated by the team, the coaching staff and me. It is you who make our season enjoyable. Your encouragement and faithfulness to our program is valued among us student athletes. Thank you for your time. Have a great day and until next time, God Bless!

Hello. My name is George Katze, a senior defensive back at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. I am an Industrial Studies major with an emphasis in Technology Education. I was confronted by our sports information director about starting a blog about my life as a student athlete. I view this opportunity as a chance for others to get an inside look as to what is in store for someone thinking about attending college and possibly pursuing a goal of an athletic career after high school.

I grew up on a farm outside the small town of Friesland, Wisconsin (population 303) and graduated from Cambria-Friesland High School. When I was a freshman my parents were divorced which changed the lives of my brothers, sisters and I drastically. I had to grow up quick and help take care of my younger brothers and sisters whether I was ready or not. Even though I had a few bumps in the road as a child, growing up on a farm and in a small town was very beneficial to me. It was there that I learned how to work hard and what being in a family is all about. I learned about responsibility and that my actions and decisions affect not only me but everyone around me as well. It is where I was taught about God’s love and His free gift of salvation available for all. It is where I learned that my character is more important than what my reputation might be. It is where I played sports, hung out with friends, tried to fit in, received my drivers’ license and fell in love for the first time (so I thought). All the situations I encountered, people I meet and decisions I made slowly shaped me into the person I am today. It is where I will always call home.

While I was finishing up my senior season in athletics, the big question arose. “Now what?” Letters poured in from colleges across the nation; all trying to persuade me to join their campus. Everything from student-faculty ratios, scholarships, location, courses offered and male-female ratios were used to lure me in as a future prospect. This decision was a major decision in my life. Everyone had his or her own opinion and tried to make up my mind for me.

As an athlete, my senior year did not finish with the success that I envisioned it to have so I decided to try out for a collegiate team. I was not sure which one but knew if I had to attend classes for the next four years of my life I thought that I my as well hit someone as well. After realizing my financial situation and discussing my options with a close personal friend I felt that the University of Wisconsin-Platteville was the best place for me to continue my education as a future teacher. So I enrolled in classes and worked harder than usual to get myself in shape for my first mini camp.

As a side note, the important part in this decision making process is the ability to talk to someone you can trust and will be honest with you. Sometimes family members, coaches, friends and athletes will tell you what they think you want to hear instead of the actual truth. In the long run this decision is yours and you will be the one taking classes and paying for it. You have to live there, not your coach or friends. You need to feel comfortable on campus and enjoy your time at college (in a productive way). Sometimes it is better to get an outsiders opinion!

As of today, the team and I are working hard to prepare for our first regular season game against Buena Vista. It is a home game as well as student appreciation night so there should be a decent crowd. Last Friday we finished our scrimmage against Wartburg College. We were successful in many ways but there is still room for improvement. Everyone can get better in one way or another. It takes the entire team working hard toward one goal to make a season successful. We as individuals are all apart of something greater than ourselves. That is why I love this game! It takes a team effort and we are only as strong as our weakest link. Thank you for your time. Have a great day and until next time, God Bless!